The existing Power Plant was constructed in 1953 and served steam to both Buffalo State College and the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, but now serves only Buffalo State College. Originally six 56,000 lb/hr water tube steam boilers were installed in the building, but only 4 remain. These 4 boilers plus a newer summer boiler (27,000 lbs/hr) are way oversized for current and expected future college heating demands and therefore are inefficient and costly to maintain and operate. Other steam generation equipment (feed water heaters, condensate receivers, condensate pumps, etc.) has been replaced over the years as needed, but appear to be at the end of their life cycle. The main electrical service, transformer and motor control center for the building were updated and a new 250 KW generator was installed, but much of the secondary electrical system is original to the building and is at the end of its life cycle. The building envelope is in poor condition with deteriorated masonry and numerous roof leaks.
This project will replace the existing boilers and associated equipment with new boilers and equipment which are anticipated to require less space, thus accommodating a down-sizing and partial demolition of the building and stack.
Reconstructing the steam plant will save in costs for fuel, operation and maintenance, will reduce harmful emissions and potential for harmful fuel leaks and will provide a more reliable source of heat and hot water for the campus.
